By James Robert Kayindi
On Sunday evening, Nkumba University lost 2-1 to rivals Makerere in a game played at the Makerere main grounds in their first leg of the quarter finals of the University League. Nkumba who had been reduced to 10 men by the first half recess mark lost to Makerere after conceding two goals in the first section of the game before their consolation that came later in the second half.
Brian Okum of Nkumba was sent off the pitch on second booking after he fouled Makerere’s Mike Mutyaba. He had earlier been booked against Kawawu Majjidu commonly known as ‘Owen’. However Patrick Ssebuliba, the Nkumba head coach didn’t think that his player desevered such a harsh penalty from Matovu David, the centre referee on the day.
“I will contest Okum’s red card to the University League committee before we head into the next game. The referee was totally unfair about that decision and everybody is a witness to that including the Makerere fans and we will seek to have it removed”, Patrick Ssebuliba told BigEye.ug shortly after the game.
“Actually his decision caused him to panic in the second half and he ended up awarding wrong yellow cards to our opponents so as to try and balance the game but harm had already been done”, Ssebuliba added.
The blues of Nkumba University did not only lose a box of mineral water to the Makerere fans but also suffered a 2-1 defeat in the tight game on the evening. They were however not convinced with the loss as they claimed that the hosts (Makerere) needed a dubious penalty and a false red card to win the game.
“Yes we conceded so early because my players were not yet settled and we paid heavily for that but the second goal wasn’t a genuine one. That was a dubious penalty because I think it was supposed to be a throw-in not a penalty from the tackle but we can’t change that result”, Ssebuliba said.
“I can only promise to give them a Brazil – Germany semi-final scene of the 2014 world cup when they come to visit us”, Nkumba head coach further remarked.
Nkumba will host Makerere next Saturday on the 4th October to decide who progresses to the semi-finals. They however stand at an advantage of having scored at least a goal in the first leg and will need to win with at least a 1 goal margin against their opponents to qualify.
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